University Relations and Communications

MSU Billings offers Slovak course

MSU BILLINGS NEWS — This fall Montana State University Billings is offering a new course for students
and community members, Introduction to Slovakia.

This lecture-series type learning opportunity is led by Dr. Paul Foster, Director
of International Studies at MSU Billings, and offers the opportunity to travel abroad
on a short study trip to Central Europe.

Participants will study cultural, political, and economic history of Slovakia, with
particular emphasis on the past 30 years. The course will compare Central European
countries during the 20th Century: independence, rule by Nazi Germany then USSR, independence,
emergence of democracy, rule of law, then erosion in some countries and rise of “illiberal
democracy”.

Intro to Slovakia will examine how “small” countries such as Slovakia can hold up
values and principles of democracy while other larger countries around them are challenged
by movements away from these same values and principles.

This culturally rich course will feature Slovak guest lecturers – intellectuals and
artists, politicians and public figures, who will join the class in person and via
video link.

Foster, who holds a Ph.D. in Slavic Philology, will lead a 10-day Study Abroad trip
to Slovakia in November. Trip details and costs will be released in September.

Students and community members are invited to engage in conversation and material
at a level they feel comfortable with during the class. They may take the course for
credit or community members may choose to audit the new course.

Class will be held each Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. in room 163 of McDonald Hall, starting
September 4 and concluding at the end of the fall semester, December 12.